Buying A Used Car, Advice Please.

[saintpeter48]

I'm interested in a car that is on a local online car sales site on Facebook, I'm going to meet the seller tomorrow and he tells me ' I only have the green slip with my details on', re ownership. Is this all I need to purchase the car or is there something else I need to see. Thanks for any advice.

[douglas9401]

I'm sure he should have applied for a V5 to show him as the new owner by now. It sounds a bit shady, hang on to your cash.

[TWR]

Saint, do not hand over any money until you have all the Doc's, V5>>MOT>HPI check, the HPI check this is for you to sort out to find out if there is H.P. outstanding on the car, If you don't have knowledge on the Workings of the car, take someone that has with you before you buy.

[Baldric]

If he's not a trader then I would be very worried. What car is it and is he a young bloke? Could be he can't get insured or could be he's found something major wrong with it and wants rid. I'd be very wary!

[TWR]

Saint, what's your area?

[paul1763]

i may be wrong bu shouldn't he send off the log book and put 'your' detail on the green slip to show you own the car?

[ToraToraTora]

yes sounds dodgy. There are innocent explanations for this, eg he bought the car and the seller never sent off the main v5 so he still has the V5C/2 but in the interim he should have applied for his own V5, so at best he's disorganised at worse he's shady. I never buy stuff from disorganised people because they always neglect things.

[Hopkirk]

They always advise not to deal with blokes in lay bys, but instead make sure the car is at the address on the registration document.

You can't even check that.

Walk away.

[saintpeter48]

Thanks for advice, i'm not going ahead with the meeting now, sounds too dodgy, instead will look elsewhere.

[ToraToraTora]

That's wise mate, you see there are thousands of cars out there, you may as well get one that you feel comfortable with.

[Vicasso]

Be aware that you can no longer buy a taxed vehicle. The tax is now cancelled when the vehicle changes hands.

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/motoring/motoring-news/tax-disc-changes-expert-calls-on-government-to-help-drivers-avoid-being-caught-out-by-new-car-sale-rules-10176508.html

[Khandro]

Good advice above. I would add also, along with getting all the documents detailed, look for service history and spend a little time looking at the mileages on the servicing bills.

[sophy-stevens]

Before paying for second hand car you should check few checkpoints like whole or chassis, the engine, interior, driving and handling or you should take test drive with expert mechanical.